WHAT IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM?
The ice cubes in my freezer inspired me while working on an ice rink project. I was looking for inspiration on how to incorporate an interesting, ice related feature into the lobby design. The result: we clad a large volume that housed an egress stair within the lobby with translucent panels that mimics an abstract version of a huge block of ice. (Very “cool”).
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
When designing the Montgomery library, we needed an elegant solution to separate the children’s room from the main library stacks/reading room. We created a wood veneer frame surrounded by glass, a “feature wall” that became a visual cue, identifying the delineation and creating scale and interest within the space.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT?
I am a believer in analyzing and understanding the site and its constraints. So much design inspiration can be learned from the site and its context.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
SketchUp is the best - the easiest modeling tool that gets fast design results.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
Being an architect to me means creating spaces that people feel comfortable in and can gain inspiration from.
KURT VIERHEILIG, AIA, LEED AP BD+C DIRECTOR OF DESIGN, PARTNER
WHAT IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM?
For the East Brunswick Ice Rink, we drew inspiration from the three stages of water: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (snow). Positioned at the heart of the lobby is one of these features: an ice cube.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
The circular window at the Blanquita B. Valenti Community School. It overlooks the playground, aiming to evoke a sense of calmness and foster creativity. The playfulness crafted by its natural shape encourages individuals to explore innovative ideas outside the box.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT?
Each project begins with a sketch, where the concept and overarching idea takes shape. Sketching enables me to swiftly sort through various ideas.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
I love Lumion because of its ability to breathe life into any 3D design and bring a sense of scale and realism.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
Being an architect transcends the mere act of designing buildings; it embodies the power to mold the very fabric of the world we inhabit.
MICHAEL PIKOWSKI PROJECT DESIGNER
WHAT IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM?
One of my favorite places to look for design inspiration is in nature. I did a project in college that was based on trees and the structure of their branches, which was amazing once I started to dissect it.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
I’ve always loved drawing building and wall sections. It helps you to understand so much of the project and is packed with lots of information. Once you learn how to read them, it connects all the dots.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
Revit is my favorite program. I taught myself how to use it in college and it cut drawing time in half from using AutoCAD. It is an extremely advanced program and there’s always more to learn, even when you think you’re proficient at it.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
Architecture is inspiring to me. When you stand in front of ancient structures such as the Colosseum or Acropolis, it seems almost impossible that humans designed and constructed them. It makes you realize that whatever you want to design can come to life if you put your mind to it.
BRIANNE AVETA DESIGNER
WHAT IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM?
I have always been fascinated by biophilic architecture such as the perfect hexagons of beehives, ant colonies, bird nests and spider webs.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
I like how small, creative details impact buildings’ life and maintenance: simple flashing or reveal details that keep water out, thoughtful design patterns that make tile layout look fascinating, or orienting windows to maximize sunlight and ventilation.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT?
Reading through previous projects’ lessons learned.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
Since I took over the role of President & CEO, it’s been Excel and Word. But when I was designing more, Revit was a favorite in producing architecture and engineering documents. As building designs are getting more integrated, a good coordinated set can save a lot of hours during construction.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
As an architect, we make a significant impact on how various industries operate and do their jobs. A well-thought-out design can greatly improve people’s lives and happiness. And as a passionate sustainable architect, we have the responsibility and privilege to create buildings that utilize resources efficiently, incorporate local materials, and leverage natural surroundings to maintain comfortable habitats.
PRADEEP KAPOOR, AIA, LEED AP BD+C PRESIDENT & CEO
WHAT IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM?
I’ve been inspired by countless experiences around the world, having lived, worked and traveled across North & South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. I am constantly inspired by people, food, décor, adventures and of course, renowned architectural buildings and sites.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
I still love every detail of Sparta Middle School, a milestone project for DMR in our early years. The building itself is symmetrical, creating the base of a “house plan” that gave each grade its own area of the building, with the gym and cafeteria attached to the rear.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
Pen and paper. It was, of course, how I learned to design, but to this day, there is nothing quite like working out a problem or organizing your thoughts on paper. Technology has changed my life and business, but there is still much to be said for living and working without a screen.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
Being an architect to me means having the privilege to change lives. It has been one of the honors of my career to build schools, hospitals, residential buildings, parks and more that provide safe, inspiring and vital services.
LLOYD A. ROSENBERG, AIA CHAIRMAN & FOUNDER
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
I love putting together large residential projects with complicated roofs due to their slopes, elevations and forms. Pitched roofs in angled spaces make a sloping roof very complex and unique. I love to find geometrical solutions that have lines and volumes that interact. Discovering the structural solution to those intricate roofs is very satisfying.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT?
As an architect, I have suffered from what some writers struggle with, “the agony of the blank page.” In my case, it is the agony of the blank drawing sheet. To overcome this, early in the design process, I try to saturate my mind with colors, forms and pictures of buildings to avoid that “agony.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
The software SketchUp is my favorite for its simplistic way of designing in three dimensions. Hand sketching in front of a client to convey an idea or a design is also one of my favorite tools.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
To me, being an architect is almost like being a magician: we have the ability to take ideas or concepts of the nonexisting and make them tangible and real in the world. We bring ideas to life and make them work for the intended use.
FERNANDO ROBLEDO, AIA SR. PROJECT MANAGER, ASSOCIATE
WHAT IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM?
I’ve found inspiration in well-designed objects of everyday use, for example, stackable measuring cups made from agrifiber.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
When designing a project for an electronic consumer goods company in New York City, I designed a custom wood ceiling with off the shelf products. It was bespoke but practical, as it eliminated the need for return grilles.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT?
• Clear your mind, workspace and surroundings of clutter.
• Get as much useful information of the client’s needs, project context, precedents and budget.
• Organize and reorganize.
• Retain knowledge that works and unlearn what no longer works.
• Discard information that is no longer relevant.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
Experience, exploration and willingness to change.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
Being an architect is empowering and humbling as we influence environments and people’s lives.
SHYAM PERANGUR, AIA SR. PROJECT MANAGER
DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT?
I always look up the address of the property and see what I can gather from the location and surroundings. I work on many New York City schools and since I grew up in the NYC Public School system, I usually get the feeling that I’m there, experiencing it like today’s students will eventually experience it. It sets the tone and energy for the project.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
My colleagues; they are all extremely knowledgeable and go above and beyond in mentoring.
WHAT IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN INSPIRATION FROM?
Designing ice rinks has always been a dream of mine; in architecture school I’d find as many ways as I could to incorporate them into any and every project, exploring every possibility in their
structure and design. Coincidentally, within my first year at DMR, we designed an ice rink. That design process was a huge inspiration to me.
DENNIS SIKORJAK DESIGNER
WHAT
IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM?
There’s something about the design of Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island that provides a calming, serene inspiration. I have also gotten design inspiration from long outdoor runs in nature.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
The main entrance at Blue Foundry Bank. The features - the suspended ceiling cloud boxes in varying volumes, the suspended baffles, the elegant quartz and tile, the video wall and the undulating accent wall - provide an unmatched experience.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT?
I always get a comprehensive understanding of the project scope, organize a schedule and designate design tasks to be assigned to team members.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
Revit & Bluebeam are my favorites for design, visualization and coordination.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
It’s the responsibility of protecting the health, safety and welfare of people in a given building or space.
MARK D’URSO JOB CAPTAIN
WHAT IS AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL PLACE YOU HAVE GOTTEN DESIGN
INSPIRATION FROM?
Design surrounds every aspect of my life, from how I design a project to how I organize my desk. Some of my most interesting forms of inspiration come from a variety of sketches that progress into a 3D massing.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT DETAILS?
I love creating conceptual renders of classrooms. As a recent graduate, I feel very connected to these spaces and inspired to create ones that I would have liked to learn in.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT?
Before starting any project I find it extremely important to gather inspiration images and sketch initial ideas based on the space we are trying to create.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL, RESOURCE OR PROGRAM?
My favorite program is Lumion, a rendering program.
WHAT DOES BEING AN ARCHITECT MEAN TO YOU?
Being an architect means designing a space that you want to be in and how it can improve users’ daily life.
NIKOLE MARIN DESIGNER